A biography of Stella Walthall Patterson (Oct. 14, 1866 - Dec. 23, 1955), orphaned at seven, who, having within her the courageous genes of her ancestors, led a life of adventure and accomplishments --teacher, artist, pianist, wife, mother, adventurer, and above all, gifted in the observation of life, a fine writer and storyteller. She was known as "Dear Mad'm" due to the popular book she wrote titled Dear Mad'm.

Soon after Naturegraph published Dear Mad'm in 1982 fan mail poured in, readers wanting to know what Dear Mad'm (Stella Patterson) did after the year at age eighty was over in which she had vowed to live on her remote mining claim.

We had been unable to answer their questions. The one day a couple stopped by and the husband said he was a grand nephew of Mrs. Patterson. They agreed to do research and write a book. They located eight of Stella Patterson's earlier published stories which are included for your enjoyment.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:

Peter Walthall Lismer is a great nephew of Stella Walthall Patterson, author of Dear Mad'm. He knew little of his great aunt while growing up, but in later life, along with his wife, Liz, searched every avenue that shed light on her life. Pete spent thirty years first in the National Guard and later Army Reserves, and was employed by the National Cash Register. He loved a variety of sports including twenty-eight years of racing and sailing sailboats.

Elizabeth Kellam Lismer was in the education field for forty years, many of those years teaching Spanish and French. She had a Fulbright Exchange and taught English in France for a year. Pete and Liz both loved France and bought a home to live there half of each year. Having a yen for genealogy, Liz traced every avenue to construct the life which "Dear Mad'm" had led.